# Synodical Conference Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1904_S50
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

50 Proceedings of the twentieth convention

So much for the presentations of the essayist. In the debate the following, among other things, was set forth:

The saying, "Ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils," can be applied directly here, for the subject there is precisely the Supper. The Lord's Supper and the devils' meal exclude one another. The devils' meal embraces all false doctrine and all godless living. At that time the Apostle had in view a particular kind of idolatry: some members of the Corinthian congregation took part in the idol feasts of the heathen. That was quite a different case from when — as also happened — meat offered to idols was eaten in the house. That was a matter of indifference, but the former Paul calls idolatry. This kind of heathen idolatry finds a parallel today in the whole rigmarole and trumpery of the lodges; their whole nature revolves around an antichristian, rationalistic religion. Here we have the LORD's clear word that Christianity and the lodge system do not go together.

By turning a person away from the Supper one does not under all circumstances relegate him to the class of the impenitent. The unworthy is to be turned away. Here the traditional distinction between inward and outward unworthiness helps toward clarity. Inward unworthiness is found in one who is no Christian, who does not believe what God's Word teaches, or lives in open sins. Outward unworthiness consists in an outward obstacle because of which a person cannot be admitted to the Supper, although we regard him as a Christian. If, from this standpoint, we argue that we do not deny a person's Christianity, but that something is in the way so that he cannot go to the Supper, namely membership in the lodge, which would give offense, then we can also guard against the danger that the person concerned will leave us in anger.

The third part of the *Referat* [paper read to the convention] was likewise adopted by the *Synodalconferenz* [Synodical Conference].

Business Proceedings.

I. Negro Mission.

The report of the Commission for Negro Mission was read and adopted. It reads as follows:

Report of the Commission for Negro Mission for the Period from July 1902 to August 1904.

"Know that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing," so we read in 1 Pet. 3:9. The Apostle means to say: You Christians are the happiest, the richest people in the world. You are the blessed of the LORD. JESUS